Re: How Much Does Science Know?

Victoria Mundy (toria@pop.uky.edu)
Thu, 23 Jul 1998 09:13:41 -0400

>This can also serve as a response to Victoria Mundy, who said: "Since I've
taught
>college bio and intend to do it again some day, this got me thinking about
just
>what I think the scientific method is, and where it does and should fit
into the
>way I view the world even though I don't do much research myself. ...
Back to the
>scientific method, can you give an in-the field example of what you mean by
>"logical structure and conceptual overview"?
>
>In the field of biology, the following comments can be applied to E.O.
Wilson's
>work on "sociobilogy" and "consilience". (I had more on that for you but
windows
>crashed - again - one day and I evidently hadn't saved as much of what I'd
done as
>I thought.
>
> Basically, any system must be all inclusive and consistent, within it's own
>terms. An "inherent goodness" in relation to any attached goals or an
>applicability to a given end are what count, along with its relative (to
>alternatives) efficiency in relation to those goals or applications.
Significance
>is understood in terms of coincidence (which can be spotty), rather than
support
>of opposition. Of course the end result (if any) is still yes or no,
qualified to
>a significant, less significant or insignificant degree. Gotta go.

Sigh. Yes, but can you give me an in-the-field example of what you mean by
logical structure and conceptual overview? As I recall, this entire
discussion started with a difference of opinion about the usefulness of
anecdotal information vs replicated research for farmers' needs. My
expectations are my own problem, of course, but I suppose I was expecting a
description of a field experiment or a project which in your view *has*
logical structure and conceptual overview. Tell me about an experiment you
did or you liked, because although I am usually extremely good with abtract
concepts, I confess to being mystified by your comments above.

Whether I or anyone else likes it or not, contemporary industrialized
science is a very valued form of knowledge in our society. We certainly
spend an awful lot of money on it. As a teacher, I consider it my
responsibility to help students sort out good science from shoddy science.

And if no one is willing to help me figure it out in some practical terms,
I'm afraid I'm just going to look at all the posters hanging in the halls
of this department and draw my conclusions from there. My favorite one is
"Reduced saturated fatty acid levels in transgenic soybean somatic embryos
transformed with A-mammalian delta-9 desaturase." Say that five times fast.

My place in sustainable agriculture is in the classroom just now. I'd like
to do the very best by both agriculture and my students that I possibly
can, and I very much value the help of people on this list and in other s-a
communities.

Somewhat-frustrated-but-at-the-point-of-learning,
Sincerely,
Victoria Mundy
Univ. of Kentucky Agronomy

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